Collar insignia gauge

ABSTRACT

Military, police, and other organizations use insignias on shirt collars to display rank or identifying marks. This invention introduces an easy to use way to properly apply collar insignia at a predetermined bisecting angle. My design introduces the horizontal collar tab slot (FIG.  1 A) to hold the gauge in place once aligned with the collar alignment marks (FIG.  1 B). Installing an insignia centered over alignment mark (FIG.  1 C) is simple because the vertical slot (FIG.  1 D) to receive the insignia fastening pins is placed at the proper angle in reference to the collar tip to ensure proper alignment. The open ended slot (FIG.  1 D) allows the gauge to slide off the collar when the insignia is properly installed on the collar. The open ended design of the vertical slot also allows this gauge to slide under an installed insignia for inspection purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to templates and, more particularly, to templates for positioning insignia on uniforms.

REFERENCES CITED 61/470,419 March 2011 DAVIGNON 5,063,684 November 1991 WINTERS 33/653 2,681,511 June 1954 SETON 33/653, 33/180 4,302,884 December 1981 PALLONE 33/180

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

All branches of the military, police forces, security and other organizations use collar insignia to display rank or identifying marks. The insignia is required to be mounted in a designated location to be within uniform standards. There is a need for a gauge to quickly and accurately apply insignia mounted on a bisecting angle. For the Navy, the Uniform Regulations wording and pictured examples are confusing and conflicting. As a sailor, I had to decode and enforce the uniform regulations and there was no gauge available to simplify this process. I created this collar insignia gauge to meet the need of applying insignias on a bisecting angle and verify proper placement on others uniforms. U.S. Provisional Pat. No. 61/470,419; entitled “Collar Insignia Gauge” filed Mar. 31, 2011 was my response to this problem.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,063.684; entitled “Marking Template for Placement of Collar Insignia” issued Nov. 12, 1991; addressed the bisecting angle, but alignment required you to hold the template in place while inserting the collar insignia. This is a cumbersome process and the insignia has to be removed to remove the template.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,681,511; entitled “Template for Locating Collar Insignia” issued Jun. 22, 1954; utilized open ended slots for easy removal but the user is still holding the template in place while applying the collar insignia.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,302,884; entitled “Insignia Positioning Template” issued Dec. 1, 1981; utilized open ended slots for easy removal and added alignment marks and a stud for stabilizing the template.

This design does not address the issue of a bisecting angle and the use of a stud to secure the device on a collar would produce unwanted and visible hole in the collar and is not intended for this use.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The collar insignia gauge design depicted in the figures is for use on the Navy service uniform. The use of this uniquely designed horizontal slot (FIG. 1 A), with alignment mark (FIG. 1 B) orientate the proper alignment and applies a pressure point on the collar to maintain that alignment while applying the collar insignia. The alignment mark (FIG. 1 C) identifies the mounting location on the bisecting angle from the collar edges. The vertical open ended slot (FIG. 1 D) requires the proper angle of the insignia for the mounting pins to enter the slot, it also allow for easy removal of the gauge. This is an effective invention that is simple, accurate and easy to use. This Gauge can also be slid onto the collar for inspection purposes with the collar device securely mounted.

While the design for the Navy is illustrated in this patent, many variations may be made in alignment marks and wording without departing from the spirit of this patent. Thus, the drawings depicted as illustrative and the scope of this claim should not be limited to the example described and shown herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates the front and side view of the collar insignia gauge.

FIG. 2 illustrates the insignia gauge in use on a collar

FIG. 3 illustrates the side view of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, feature A is the horizontal slot that the tip of the collar is passed through and pressure is applied once aligned by laying it flat against the material. Feature B is the alignment marks for the collar tab after being passed through slot A which orientates the device for the bisecting angle of the collar edges. Feature C is the line the insignia is centered on before pressing it through the material and applying the backs on its pins. Feature D is the open ended vertical slots that align the pin to correct bisecting angle on the collar and allows for removal of the gauge once the insignia is installed.

FIG. 2 illustrates the insignia gauge in use on a collar. Feature A is the collar insignia gauge with a collar tip through the horizontal slot. Feature B is a shirt collar. Feature C is a Navy Petty Officer insignia installed on the collar. Feature D is the open slot allowing gauge removal with the pin installed.

FIG. 3 illustrates the side view of FIG. 2. Feature A is the collar insignia gauge. Feature B is the collar, the pressure on the collar can be seen where it passes through the slot near the bottom of the figure. Feature C is the collar insignia installed, the pins are centered in the vertical open slot.

Product Claim 

1. The gauge will allow the user to easily orientate the proper bisecting angle for placement of pin on collar insignias in accordance with the designated standard due to the horizontal slot and collar alignment marks (FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B).
 2. The horizontal slot will provide a pressure point against the material once aligned and laid flat against the material to hold the gauge in place while applying the insignia.
 3. The open vertical slot (FIG. 1D) allow the gauge to be used as an inspection tool because the gauge can be slid under the insignia while securely fastened to verify proper insignia positioning. 